Managing your child’s iron intake

What Is Iron Deficiency Anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia is diagnosed when low iron stores have progressed far enough to reduce the number or quality of red blood cells, measurable through haemoglobin and serum ferritin blood tests. It's distinct from mild iron deficiency, which may not yet show up as anaemia on a blood test. If you're not yet at the diagnosis stage and want to know what early signs to watch for, see our guide on signs of iron deficiency.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Anaemia?

Some children face a higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia specifically, including:

• Premature babies
• Children exclusively breastfed beyond 6 months without iron supplementation
• Children with consistently low dietary iron intake over an extended period

How Iron Deficiency Anaemia Is Treated

Treatment typically starts with iron supplementation prescribed by a paediatrician, dosed according to your child's weight and the severity of the deficiency. Dietary changes alone are usually not sufficient once anaemia is confirmed — supplementation is needed to rebuild iron stores within a clinically reasonable timeframe.

Iron-fortified infant cereals and growing-up formulas that provide a minimum of 5 mg of iron per serving can support this process alongside supplementation, but should not replace it once anaemia is diagnosed. For practical guidance on iron-rich foods that support recovery alongside any prescribed supplementation, see our full guide on iron-rich foods for children.

What to Look for on a Formula or Cereal Label

Check the nutrition panel for iron content per serving expressed in mg, not just as a percentage of daily value.

Prioritise products that combine iron with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the same serving, as this pairing is specifically designed to maximise iron absorption. CERELAC, for example, is scientifically formulated to provide a minimum of 5 mg of iron per serving — meeting up to 50% of your child's daily iron needs — and is carefully crafted with vitamin C in the same formulation to support absorption.

Monitoring Progress

Your paediatrician will typically recheck haemoglobin levels around 4 weeks after starting treatment. A rise of 1 g/dL or more is generally considered a positive response, supporting both the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Iron supplementation is usually continued for several months after levels normalise, to rebuild your child's iron stores fully — stopping too early is a common reason for relapse.

If your child doesn't respond to treatment as expected, your paediatrician may investigate other underlying causes, such as poor absorption or ongoing blood loss.